I just want to make sure I understand this correctly. The problem:
Prove whether or not the set of all pairs of real numbers of the form $(0,y)$ with standard operations on $\mathbb R^2$ is a vector space?
Here are the axioms that define a vector space:
- $\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v}$ is in $V$. Closure under addition.
- $\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v}=\mathbf{v}+\mathbf{u}$. Commutative property.
- $\mathbf{u}+(\mathbf{v}+\mathbf{w}) = (\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v})+\mathbf{w}$. Associative property.
- $V$ has a zero vector $\mathbf{0}$ such that for every $\mathbf{u}\in V$, $\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{0}=\mathbf{u}$. Additive identity.
- For every $\mathbf{u}\in V$, there is a vector in $V$ denoted by $-\mathbf{u}$ such that $\mathbf{u}+(-\mathbf{u}) = \mathbf{0}$. Additive inverse.
- $c\mathbf{u}$ is in $V$. Closure under scalar multiplication.
- $c(\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v}) = c\mathbf{u}+c\mathbf{v}$. Distributive property.
- $(c+d)\mathbf{u}=c\mathbf{u}+d\mathbf{u}$. Distributive property.
- $c(d\mathbf{u})= (cd)\mathbf{u}$. Associative property.
- $1(\mathbf{u}) =\mathbf{u}$. Scalar identity.
Forgive me, but I will simply state the conclusions I reached for each axiom without a FULL proof.
Four definitions to be fulfilled:
- Vectors are of the form $(0,y)$
- Scalar multiplication: standard operation of $\mathbb R^2$
- Vector addition: standard operation of $\mathbb R^2$
- Scalars: $c \in \mathbb{R}$
The ten axioms:
- True, a real number plus a real number produces a real number. Closure under addition is fulfilled.
- True, again it is a property of real numbers.
- True, properties of real numbers once again.
- True, the zero vector is simple $(0,0)$.
- True, $(\overrightarrow{-u})$ is $(0,-y)$
- True, property of real numbers. Closure under scalar multiplication is fulfilled.
- True, property of real numbers.
- True, property of real numbers.
- True, property of real numbers.
- True, property of real numbers.
Now, there are a few things to be said. One, all I have to do is prove the two closure statements and have implied the rest are true due to properties of $\mathbb R^2$. Also, I would have to assume $y \in \mathbb{R}$, otherwise it fails axiom 6 (i.e. $y=0$ fails the stated form $(0,y)$).
Basically, is the above work correct in proving that the stated vector space exists?